Search location by ZIP code

Candidates running for 1st Congressional District square off in debate

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 8:16 PM EDT Oct 17, 2018

Candidates running for 1st Congressional District square off in debate

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 8:16 PM EDT Oct 17, 2018

Hide TranscriptShow Transcript

WEBVTT MODERATOR: FOR THE NEXT 45 MINUTES THE CANDIDATES SEEKING MAINE’S FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SEAT WILL BE DISCUSSING THE ISSUES AND DEBATING EACH OTHER. THANKS FOR JOINING US. WE’LL BEGIN BY INTRODUCING IN THE CANDIDATES ENOUGH BUT ORDER. INDEPENDENT MARTY GROHMAN, REPUBLICAN MARK HOLBROOK, AND DEMOCRAT CHELLIE PINGREE. THE CANDIDATES WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE EACH TO ANSWER EACH QUESTIONS WITH 30 SECOND REBUTTALS. WE BEGIN WITH 60 SECOND OPENING STATEMENTS ENOUGH ABOUT A QUARTER. WE’L-- IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. MR. GROHMAN: I HAVE PUT THOUSANDS OF MILES ON MY TRUCK MEETING VOTERS ALL OVER MAINE AND I KEEP HEARING THING ONE -- ONE THING OVER AND OVER -- WE ARE SICK OF THE TWO PARTIES TEARING EACH OTHER TO PIECES BECAUSE WE KNOW NOTHING IS GETTING DONE. NO IT IS TAKING ON THE COST OF HEALTH CARE, SIX IN THE OPIOID CRISIS, SHORING UP SOCIAL SECURITY AND PROTECTING MEDICARE. WE CAN’T KEEP DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND EXPECT TO GET A DIFFERENT RESULT. WE NEED AN INDEPENDENT VOICE TO REPRESENT US IN CONGRESS. I’M THE YOUNGEST OF 8. I GREW UP IN A FARM, MILKING COWS BEFORE THE SCHOOL BUS AND BUILT A SUCCESSFUL MANUFACTURING COMPANY IN MAINE. ANY OF THE SUCCESS I HAVE HAD BY BRINGING PEOPLE TO THE TABLE TO GET THINGS DONE. WE ALL KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. NOW IS THE TIME TO FIX IT. THAT IS WHY I’M RUNNING FOR CONGRESS. MODERATOR: NEXT, DR. HOLBROOK. DR. HOLBROOK: I GRADUATED FROM MAINE CRIMINAL JUSTICE -- I’VE BEEN A SOCIAL WORKER, A LOBSTERMAN AND A COAST GUARD LICENSE AND A PHD IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY. MY PRACTICE IS MADE UP MOSTLY OF POLICE OFFICERS, ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL. AND VETERANS. I WANT TO BE ABOUT TO BRING THOSE SKILLS TO WASHINGTON. I SPENT MOST OF MY ADULT LIFE GIVING PEOPLE A LIVE AND TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE. I’M CERTAIN I CAN GO TO WASHINGTON AND BUILD SOME BRIDGES AND BRING IN SOME PEOPLE ON OUR SIDE. I HAVE MADE TWO PLEDGES. ONE IS THAT I WILL HAVE MONTHLY MEETINGS AROUND, MONTHLY TOWN HALL MEETINGS AROUND THE DISTRICT SO THAT THE PEOPLE CAN HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE AND I WILL BE ACCESSIBLE. I’VE ALSO PLEDGED JUST TWO TERMS . I’LL START SEEKING, START RECRUITING MY REPLACEMENT. I’M NOT -- I’LL STOP. I WAS GOING TO SAY, I’M NOT A CAREER POLITICIAN LIKE THE OTHER TWO PEOPLE SEEKING THIS OFFICE. REP. PINGREE: HI, I’M CHELLIE POR -- CHELLIE PINGREE. I’VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF THE FIRST DISTRICT OF MAINE. THIS IS THE DECISION OF THE VOTERS AND I HOPE THAT THEY KNOW THAT I TRIED TO REPRESENT THE DIVERSE INTEREST OF THIS DISTRICT FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE EVERY DAY, TO A FOR THE COST OF EDUCATION AND STUDENT LOANS, TO SMALL BUSINESSES WHO EITHER WANT TO LOCATE OR EXPAND IN THE STATE TO FARMERS WHO WANT TO ADD VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS TO THE MIX IN RURAL COMMUNITIES THAT WANT TO FIGHT BACK ON THE OPIOID CRISIS OR IMPROVE THE ECONOMY. IT IS NOT AN EASY TIME IN WASHINGTON. I HAVE BEEN VERY PROUD TO FIND CONCESSIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE. WHETHER I WORKED WITH VETERANS ISSUES, THE PRICE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, AGRICULTURAL ISSUES, I ALWAYS LOOKED FOR A WAY TO FIND SOLUTIONS. IN OUR OFFICE WE ARE THERE TO HELP INDIVIDUALS NEEDS, WHETHER IT IS VETERANS, PEOPLE SEEKING MEDICAL CARE, OR SMALL BUSINESSES OR COMMUNITIES THAT HAS NEEDS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. I HOPE TO GET A CHANCE TO DO THIS AGAIN. I’M RUNNING FOR CONTESTER REPRESENT YOU. PAUL: THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THE DISCUSSION TODAY. OUR FIRST QUESTION HAS TO DO WITH JOBS AND THE ECONOMY TO WE START WITH MARK HOLBROOK AND GO TO CONGRESSWOMAN PINGREE. MAINE HAS AN AGING POPULATION AND A DWINDLING WORKFORCE. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO ATTRACT AND KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR STATE? MR. GROHMAN: THAT IS THE PREDOMINANT QUESTION I HEAR AROUND THE DISTRICT DR. HOLBROOK: I WILL BECOME MAINE’S BIGGEST CHEERLEADER TO BRING NEW INDUSTRIES INTO THE STATE OF MAINE. THERE IS NO QUESTION WE NEED TO DIVERSIFY WHAT WE HAVE AND I HAVE GOT TO SAY THAT AFTER 10 YEARS IN OFFICE, CHELLIE’S DONE NOTHING TO HELP THE ECONOMY, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I WILL BRING, I PROMISE I WILL BRING NEW INDUSTRIES INTO THE STATE OF MAINE. WE LOSE, WE HAVE MORE PEOPLE DIE IN THIS STATE THAN ARE BORN FOR EVERY YEAR. THE REASON IS OUR YOUNG PEOPLE GET EDUCATED THAT THEY HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GET A JOB TO GET A HIGH PAYING JOB. I WANT TO TURN THAT AROUND. REP. PINGREE: WE HAVE SEEN SOME GAINS IN OUR ECONOMY. FRANKLY, I HEAR FROM A LOT OF REPLIES TO SAY RIGHT NOW I CANNOT FIND THE WORKERS TO MEET THE NEED WHETHER IT IS IN CONSTRUCTION OR WORKING ON A FARM. ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR STATE IS MAKING SURE WE ARE MATCHING OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH THE CAREER CHOICES THAT ARE OUT THERE FOR THEM, MAKING SURE THEY GET THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING TO GO INTO THE FEELS THAT WE HAVE, MAKING SURE THAT WE KNOW THAT WE CAN SUPPORT THEM THROUGH COLLEGE AND PAY FOR THEIR LOANS IS A REAL CHALLENGE. I FOCUS A LOT OF WORK AND MAKING SURE OUR RURAL ECONOMY GROWS. I HAVE WORKED ON THE FARM BILL. MAINE IS ONE OF THE FEW STATES WHERE THE AVERAGE AGE OF OUR FARMERS IS GOING DOWN AND WE HAVE MORE VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS, DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF YOUNG WOMEN GOING INTO FARMER AND WE HAVE MORE LAND UNDER CULTIVATION. EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN THE RURAL ECONOMY IS GOOD FOR OUR COMMUNITIES AND I’VE BEEN DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO SUPPORT THAT. I DENIED HAVE ENOUGH TIME BUT THE OTHER THING WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS HAVE COMPETENT OF IMMIGRATION REFORM. WE HAVE SOME REAL CHALLENGE, GETTING THE SEASONAL WORKERS WE NEED AND THAT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. PAUL: WE WILL GET TO IMMIGRATION, I PROMISE. HOW DO YOU ATTRACT AND PEOPLE TOMAINE? MR. GROHMAN: WHAT I WORRY ABOUT MOST IS WE CANNOT SET ASIDE THIS DIVISIVE RHETORIC. THERE ARE THINGS WE NEED TO DO TO WORK TOGETHER TO GET THINGS DONE. WE NEED TO LOOK AT AN EVEN EXCHANGE FOR CONVENTIONS -- - CREDENTIALS IN THE MILITARY. I’VE BEEN FOCUSED ON WORKING WITH PEOPLE IN RECOVERY TO HELP THEM GET BACK ON THEIR FEET. I HAVE BEEN RUNNING THAT RECOVERY WORKFORCE JOB FAIRS AROUND THE STATE WHERE WE PAIR UP EMPLOYERS WITH PEOPLE IN RECOVERY. I THINK AS WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT AND WE WORK TOGETHER AND WORK IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER INSTEAD OF TEARING THE OTHER SIDE DOWN, WE CAN TAKE ON THIS WORKFORCE CHALLENGE AND REALLY TURN THINGS AROUND FOR MAINE. PAUL: THANK YOU. WE HAVE SOME INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS. WE START WITH CONGRESSWOMAN PINGREE. YOU HEARD A BIT CRITICISM. YOU HAVE BEEN IN CONGRESS FOR A DECADE AND CRITICS LIKE SOME OF THE PEOPLE ON THIS DAIS SAY THAT YOU KEEP A LOW PROFILE BECAUSE THE SEAT IS SAFE FOR DEMOCRATS. WHAT CAN YOU POINT TO AS YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT FROM YOUR TIME IN WASHINGTON? REP. PINGREE: I WOULD HAVE TO SAY A VARIETY OF A COP US MISS. I FOCUS ON A LOT OF AGRICULTURAL ISSUES, I WORKED ON THE FIRST FARM BILL AND NOW THE SECOND TRYING TO ADD MONEY BACK IN WHETHER IT IS FOR SUPPORT FOR SMALL TO MEDIUM-SIZE FARMERS, GETTING VALUE-ADDED PRODUCER GRANTS, EXPANDING INTO VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS. HAVING YOUNG FARMERS GET HELP WITH ACCESS TO CAPITAL. COMMITTEES THAT NEED MORE ACCESS TO BROADBAND. ONE OF THE MOST TALKED ABOUT ISSUES P WE ARE 49TH IN THE COUNTRY IN BOTH SPEED AND ACCESS. THAT FUNDING COMES UNDER THE USDA BILL, THAT’S MY COMMITTEE COULD I HAVE FOUR HARD FOR THAT. A WHOLE VARIETY OF ENVIRONMENT ISSUES I THINK ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO MAINE. I WORKED WITH REPUBLICANS TO STOP AND FIGHT BACK ON SUPPORTING OFFSHORE OIL DRILL ING, WHICH WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO OUR FARMERS. I WORKED VERY CLOSELY, VERY DEVASTATED TO OUR FISHERMEN. I WORKED CLOSELY ON FISHING ISSUES. IT IS A LONG LIST AND I THINK I HAVE KEPT MY FOCUS ON JOBS IN THE FIRST DISTRICT AND IN MANY WAYS IT CAN BE HELPED WITH THAT. PAUL: THANK YOU. MARTY GROHMAN, AN INDIVIDUAL QUESTION. UNTIL RECENTLY YOU WERE A DEMOCRAT. MANY OF YOUR ENDORSEMENTS ARE COMING FROM REPUBLICANS. WHERE DO YOUR POLITICS LIE AND HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO CRITICS WHO SAY YOU WILL BE WHOEVER YOU NEED TO BE TO GET ELECTED? DR. HOLBROOK: LOOK, IT HAS BEEN A GREAT HONOR FOR ME TO HAVE THE SUPPORT I HAVE HAD IN THIS RACE. MR. GROHMAN: SOME OF THE DEMOCRATIC MAYORS OF SOME OF THE LARGEST CITY SEVEN DOORS ME AND YOU ARE RIGHT, A WIDE SWATH OF REPUBLICAN LEADERS HAVE ENDORSED ME AS WELL. ON TOP OF THAT I HAVE RECEIVED THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF MAINE. THEY HAVEN’T ENDORSED IN 10 YEARS. ON TOP OF THAT, I AM THE ONLY INDEPENDENT IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY ENDORSED BY THE UNITED STATES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. I THINK THAT JUST SPEAKS TO WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR IN CONGRESS. THEY WANT SOMEBODY WHO WILL WORK TOGETHER TO GET THINGS DONE TO FIX THINGS RATHER THAN FIGHTING WITH EACH OTHER AND THAT IS WHAT I AM COMMITTED TO DO. THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR AND THAT IS WHAT I AM EXCITED ABOUT. PAUL: INDIVIDUAL QUESTION FOR YOU. YOU ANNOUNCED HER CANDIDACY FOR YOUR RACE PRETTY SOON AFTER THE 2016 ELECTION. BESIDES THE USE OF RANK CHOICE V OTING, WHAT’S DIFFERENT ABOUT YOU POLICY WISE THIS TIME? DR. HOLBROOK: I DO NOT THINK THERE IS A THING THAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT ME POLICYWISE. ONCE YOU KNOW A PERSON’S VALUES YOU KNOW HOW THEY ARE GOING TO VOTE. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT WE HAVE THE MOMENTUM COMING FROM 2016. IN 2016, I WAS AN UNKNOWN CANDIDATE AND WE DIDN’T HAVE ANY MONEY AND WE CAME WITHIN 8 POINTS OF UNSEATING CHELLIE. THAT IS A BIG DEAL. IF YOU LOOK AT THE RACE IN CD2, THEY SPENT FOUR POINT $2 MILLION MORE THAN WE DID IT ONLY GOT 27,000 MORE VOTES. WHAT THAT TELLS ME IS THAT CD1 IS NOT AS LIBERAL AS THE POLLSTERS AND PEOPLE WOULD WANT US TO BELIEVE. THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS A SPINE, WHO HAS PRINCIPLES AND VALUES THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THEIRS AND IS WILLING TO STAND UP AND SAY, THAT’S WRONG. THIS IS RIGHT. WE ARE GOING TO GO TO THE RIGHT. PAUL: A REMINDER, IF ANY OF YOU ARE MENTIONED AND WANT A REBUTTAL, GIVE US A SIGN AND WE HAVE ALLOWED TIME FOR THAT. OUR NEXT QUESTION. IT ALSO CONCERNS THE ECONOMY. WE’LL START WITH MARTY GROHMAN. PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS SHAKEN UP MANY OF OUR NATION’S TRADE RELATIONSHIPS. HE THINGS OUR COUNTRY SHOULD BE GETTING AS MUCH OR MORE THAN IT GIVES IN THESE INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS. OF COURSE IN MAINE THERE ARE RETALIATORY TARIFFS AFFECTING OUR LOBSTER INDUSTRY. MR. GROHMAN: I’M A FREE TRADER. I THINK THAT WE NEED TO OPEN UP GLOBAL MARKET PLACES FOR MAINE COMPANIES. I RAN A COMPANY DOWN IN BIDEFORD FOR MANY YEARS AND WE SOLD IN 130 COUNTRIES. WE OFFERED A PRODUCT THAT WAS COMPETITIVE ALL OVER THE WORLD IN THE WORLD WANTED THAT PRODUCT AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE SHOULD OFFER. I BELIEVE THAT AMERICAN COMPANIES COMPETE WITH ANYBODY IN THE WORLD AND I THINK WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS OFFER PREDICTABILITY FOR THOSE COMPANIES SO THAT THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL. AND I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO GET THINGS DONE IN CONGRESS, DELIVER ACROSS THE AISLE AND STOP THIS BACK AND FORTH. PAUL: THANK YOU. TRADE. DR. HOLBROOK: THANKS. PAUL, PLEASE, MARK. SO, FAIR TRADE, FREE TRAIDE, I LI -- FREE TRADE, I LIKE FAIR TRADE. WE CAN’T CONTROL WHAT OTHER COUNTRIES ARE GOING TO TAG ON OUR GOODS. IF THEY ARE TAKING US A 10% I WANT TO TAG THEM WITH 10% OR IT I WANT THE BEST DEAL FOR AMERICA, AMERICAN WORKERS AND AMERICAN PRODUCTS. THAT IS WHAT AM FOCUSED ON. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME SHORT-TERM PAIN, BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 50 YEARS, WE HAVE AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT WHO IS LOOKING OUT FOR AMERICA’S BEST INTERESTS. THANK GOD FOR THAT. THAT MEANS HE IS GETTING TOUGH WITH SOME COUNTRY AND THAT HAS, THEY HAVE HAD SOME PUSHBACK. THE LOBSTER INDUSTRY IS ONE OF THEM WERE SOME OF THE LOBSTER SHIPPERS HAVE SEEN THEIR PRODUCTS GET REJECTED OR TURNED BACK FROM CHINA BECAUSE OF THE, THE TARIFFS THAT ARE GOING ON. THAT HURTS, BUT IT IS GOING TO BE SHORT-TERM TERM AND THE LONG TERM WILL BE BEST FOR AMERICA AND BEST FOR MAINE. REP. PINGREE: WELL, THERE’S NO QUESTION THAT SOME OF THE TRADE AGREEMENTS GOING BACK TO NAFTA HAVE HAD DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS ON THE STATE OF MAINE. WE USED TO BE A MAJOR PRODUCER OF SHOES, OF TEXTILES AND WE HAVE LOST A LOT OF GROUND IN OUR PAPER INDUSTRY AND A VARIETY OF INDUSTRIES. I’VE HAD DEEP CONCERNS. I WAS NOT THERE IN THE ERA OF NAFTA BUT I VOTED AGAINST OTHER TRADE AGREEMENTS BECAUSE I DO NOT THINK THEY ARE THOUGHT OUT OR HAVE APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS. I DO NOT THINK THEY HAVE LABOR PROTECTIONS. I THINK THAT THEY DO NOT REFLECT WHAT IS BEST FOR THE STATE OF MAINE. THERE ARE TWO THINGS GOING ON. THERE IS A RENEGOTIATION OF NAFTA AND WE HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT A LITTLE BIT OF IT AND THERE ARE SOME PROMISE IN THERE THAT THERE MAY BE ACTUAL LABOR STANDARDS. IF THIS BILL THAT IS BEING PROPOSED RIGHT NOW CAN CLEAR UP -- TO GET BACK TO A TRADE AGREEMENT WITH MEXICO OR CANADA. ON THE CHINA SIDE, IT IS A DISASTER. THIS ADMINISTRATION IS IN A STATE OF CAHAOS. THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. THERE ARE OTHER MAJOR COMPANIES THAT ARE AFFECTED BY IT. AND I DO NOT THINK THERE IS ANY JUSTIFICATION FOR SHORT-TERM PAIN WHEN IT IS GOING TO BE THIS SERIOUS. PAUL: I WANTED TO ASK MORE. MARK, THE SHORT-TERM PAIN ON THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS, THAT MAY -- WHAT DO YOU SAY TO A LOBSTERMAN WHO’S WORRIED ABOUT TRYING TO MAKE PAYROLL OR EARN A SALARY? DR. HOLBROOK: LISTEN, SOMEWHERE AROUND 10% OF ALL THE LOBSTERS IN MAINE GET SHIPPED TO CHINA. MOST OF IT GOES TO CANADA. I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE OK. I’M WORRY -- SORRY IT’S GOING TO PINCH FOR A BIT. MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE LOBSTER INDUSTRY ARE PRETTY RESILIENT. AND I AM WILLING TO BET THAT THOSE IN THE BEEN AFFECTED BY IT CAN -- HAVE FOUND ANOTHER WAY TO EARN A LIVING. THEY ARE ADJUSTING. I’M SORRY IT HAS TO HAPPEN. REP. PINGREE: CAN I REBUT? DR. HOLBROOK: I DID NOT MENTION YOUR NAME. REP. PINGREE: I RAISED MY HAND. ANYWAY, SO MANY LOBSTER DEALERS IN MAINE HAVE SPENT A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY IN CONNECTING WITH THIS MARKET IN CHINA. IT IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST MARKETS. THERE IS OVER ONE BILLION PEOPLE. AND YOU CANNOT FIND THAT IN SINGAPORE ARE SOMEWHERE ELSE. WHEN YOU MENTION CANADA WE HAVE A TRADE ISSUE WITH CANADA. WE HAVE AN 8% TARIFF THAT WE HAVE ON LOBSTERS THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO PAY. WE ARE ALREADY LOSING BUSINESS. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE ALL HER BUSINESS TO CANADA. I COULD TALK ABOUT THAT FOR A LONG TIME. MR. GROHMAN: MEETING WITH LOBSTER FISHERMAN’S, I HEAR ONE THING CONSISTENTLY -- WE WANT TO SEE THE BOAT PRICE UP. I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON. I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS AN INDUSTRY IN MAINE IS FOCUS ON ADDING VALUE IN THE STATE. LET’S DO THE PROCESSING HERE. LET’S CREATE THOSE JOBS AND THAT WILL PUSH UP THE BOAT PRICE. PAUL: GOING TO BREAK FORMAT BECAUSE THIS QUESTION NEEDS TO BE ASKED. IT HAS TO DO WITH THE ECONOMY. BUT WE’RE GOING TO START TALKING ABOUT THE ATTACK REPRESENTATIVE GROHAM YOU MADE ON THE CONGRESSWOMAN ABOUT BIW FUNDING. THE ATTACK WAS ON PAST VOTES IN WASHINGTON AGAINST LEGISLATION THAT AFFECTED THE FUNDING OF BIW. CONGRESSWOMAN, TELL US ABOUT THOSE VOTES. REP. PINGREE: THE ARGUMENT THAT MARTY MADE IS ABOUT THE VOTE ON THE NDAA. THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT COMES UP EVERY YEAR AND I HAVE VOTED NO. AND YES. WHEN I FIRST RAN FOR OFFICE AND WAS ELECTED IN 2008 WITHIN THE TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS WE WERE SPENDING ON THE WARS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. I WENT TO WASHINGTON SAYING I’M GOING TO DO WHATEVER I CAN TO PULL BACK FROM OUR INVOLVEMENT IN THOSE WARS THAT CONTINUE TO THIS DAY AND HAVE TAKEN AN ENORMOUS NUMBER OF LIVES AND COST A LOT OF MONEY. I AM A SERIOUS AND RELENTLESS ADVOCATE FOR FUNDING AT OUR SHIPYARDS -- ACROSS THE OUT TO FIND FUNDING, TO WORK IN LANGUAGE AND A WHOLE VARIETY OF THINGS THAT COULD INTERFERE WITH OUR POTENTIAL FUNDING INCLUDING THIS YEAR WHEN ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES TRIED TO TAKE $250 MILLION OUT OF THE ACCOUNT FOR BUILDING SHIPS AND SEND IT TO THE STATE. WE STOPPED THAT. IT IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE DO EVERY SINGLE YEAR TO SUPPORT OUR DEFENSE INDUSTRY AND THOSE JOBS IN MAINE. PAUL: MARTY, DO YOU STAND BY THE ATTACK? MR. GROHMAN: I DO. LOOK, THIS ONE IS PRETTY SIMPLE. CONGRESSWOMAN PINGREE HAS VOTED AGAINST THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT MORE THAN ALL OF HER PREDECESSORS. OUR SHIP BUILDERS AND SUBMARINE REPAIR PROFESSIONALS DESERVE OUR UNQUALIFIED SUPPORT 100% OF THE TIME. SENATOR COLLINS HAS NEVER VOTED AGAINST THIS, NOT ONCE. SENATOR KING HAS NOT VOTED AGAINST THIS. SENATOR SNOWE NEVER VOTED AGAINST IT, NOT ONCE. I THINK WHEN WE VOTED AS OUR SHIP BUILDERS AND ARE SUBMARINE REPAIR PROFESSIONALS WE ARE SENDING THE WRONG MESSAGE. THIS IS 11,000 JOBS IN MAINE. THESE ARE CAREERS, NOT JUST JOBS. WE NEED TO DELIVER FOR THE SUBMARINE PREPARE PROFESSIONALS AND SHIP FITTERS. PAUL: MARK HOLBROOK, YOUR POSITION ON THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT. DR. HOLBROOK: LISTEN, I HAVE GOT A LOT OF RESPECT FOR CHELLIE. SHE STANDS ON PRINCIPLE. I DON’T AGREE WITH A SINGLE THING SHE VOTES FOR, BUT I THINK IT’S DISINGENUOUS TO BE ATTACKING HER ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. YES, SHE’S VOTED AGAINST IT, AGAINST THE NDAA. WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOW UP WHEN IT COMES TO CONTRACTS FOR OUR DEFENSE CONTRACTOR SHE IS THERE TO SUPPORT IT AND TO GO AFTER THEM. I THINK THAT’S -- THAT IS OK, AND I THINK IT IS KIND OF AN UNFAIR CRITICISM TO DO OTHERWISE. THAT SAID, YOU KNOW, SHE’S A SOCIALIST AND SHE IS GOING TO VOTE AND FOLLOW THOSE PRINCIPLES, BUT SHE DOES NOT MAKE ANY BONES ABOUT IT. I RESPECT THAT. SHE IS 100% WRONG 100% OF THE TIME BUT YOU GOT TO APPRECIATE SOMEONE WHO IS WILLING TO STEP IN THEIR SPINE AND STAND UP FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN. REP. PINGREE: MAY I HAVE A REBUTTAL? FIRST, I’M A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND AS FAR AS I CAN TELL I AM A CAPITALIST, I MADE PAYROLL EVERY WEEK AND I HAVE TO GO TO THE BANK AND ASK FOR MONEY WHEN THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY I AM A CAPITALIST BUT I DO BELIEVE IN THINGS LIKE UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND WHEN IT COMES TO THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE I DO THINK IT IS DISINGENUOUS. WE ARE SENT TO WASHINGTON TO READ THE BILLS, TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS IN THEM AND MANY TIMES THERE IS A VARIETY OF THINGS IN THE NDDAA THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE VOTING AGAINST IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU’RE NOT FIGHTING FOR THE SHIPYARDS. MR. GROHMAN: THIS IONE IS PRETTY SIMPLE. WE HAVE A SMALL CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN MAINE. WE HAVE ALL GOT TO PULL THE ROPE IN THE SAME DIRECTION. WHEN WE DON’T DO THAT WE HAVE RESULTS THAT WE JUST SAW WHEN MORE SHIPS GET ORDER FOR MISSISSIPPI THAN ORDERED IN MAINE. WE NEED TO STOP THAT. PAUL: WE APPRECIATE THE CIVIL DISCOURSE. WE’LL START WITH MARK HOLBROOK. WE’LL SWITCH TO THE NEXT -- TO EDUCATION. DR. HOLBROOK: IT IS NOT OVER WITH YET. PAUL: STUDENT LOAN DEBT IN THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN CALLED THE NEXT ECONOMIC BUBBLE. THAT MAY POP. WHAT CAN CONGRESS DUE TO STAVE OFF THE CONGRESS THAT ME COME IF -- MAY COME IF AMERICANS DEFAULT ON STUDENT LOANS? DR. HOLBROOK: OUCH. I HAVE NOT THOUGHT OF THAT QUESTION. GOOD JOB, PAUL. YOU KNOW, THE COST OF EDUCATION IS ENORMOUS. AND I, HAVING BEEN AN ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR AT A COUPLE OF UNIVERSITIES, WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF STUDENTS A GREAT DISSERVICE BY ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO PURSUE A FOUR YEAR DEGREE, WHEN IN FACT, THEY WOULD’VE BEEN HAPPIER AND BETTER OFF IN A TRADE OR DOING SOMETHING ELSE. NEVERTHELESS, WE HAVE DONE THAT. AND THEY AHAVE INCURRED DEBT THA NOW THEY ARE BURNED WITH AND THEY ARE STUCK IN SOME JOB THAT MAYBE THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE IN. I THAT HAS BEEN PROBLEM IS THAT, OR A PROBLEM, IS THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO FOCUS ALL OF OUR KIDS ON GOING TO A FOUR YEAR COLLEGE, GETTING A LIBERAL ARTS DEGREE. YOU CAN’T COME OUT WITH A DEGREE IN BASKET WEAVING AND THINK THAT YOU WILL PAY OFF A $100,000 STUDENT LOAN. WE HAVE TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO CHOOSE WHAT THEY WANT. AND MAYBE IT IS THE TRADES. WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF ELECTRICIANS AND PLUMBERS. PAUL: THANK YOU. STUDENT LOAN DEBT. REP. PINGREE: I AGREE WITH MARK. I THINK NOT EVERYONE WHO WAS TO GO TO COLLEGE SHOULD GO TO COLLEGE AND IT IS IMPORTANT IN HIGH SCHOOL THE KIDS KNOW ABOUT, YOU CAN MAKE A LIVING AS A PLUMBER. THERE ARE A GREAT JOB OPENINGS IN THE STATE OF MAINE AND CRYING OUT FOR MEN AND WOMEN WHO WANT TO GO IN THE TRADES BUT STUDENT LOAN DEBT IS A DISASTER AND IT IS A HUGE ISSUE IN THE STATE OF MAINE WHERE NOT ONLY STUDENTS COME HOME WITH DEBT BUT THEIR FAMILIES ARE CARRYING A HOME EQUITY LOAN ARE STRUGGLING TO GET BY. THE AVERAGE GRADUATE IN 2017 HAD $39,000 IN STUDENT LOANS, 70% OF STUDENTS TODAY. I HAD STUDENT LOANS WHEN I GRADUATED. I KNOW WHAT A FEARFUL THING THAT IS TO GO INTO THE WORKPLACE. A REALLY LIMITS YOUNG PEOPLE’S CAPACITY TO TAKE ON A JOB WHEN THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW THEY ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THEIR LOANS. I SPONSORED A BILL WITH ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES FROM CONNECTICUT THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR REFINANCING A LOAN OR FORGIVENESS. I’M FRUSTRATED WITH THIS ADMINISTERS AND BUT I THINK THEY HAVE BEEN PULLING US IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. LESS GRANTS, LESS STUDENT LOANS AVAILABLE, AND MUCH LESS HEART WHEN IT COMES TO GIVING PEOPLE FLEX ABILITY AND PAYING BACK THOSE LOANS. PAUL: MARTY. MR. GROHMAN: I THINK WE REALLY DO OUR STUDENTS A DISSERVICE WHEN WE TELL THEM THAT THE ONLY PATH TO SUCCESS IS A FOUR YEAR DEGREE. THAT IS RIGHT FOR SOME PEOPLE, FOR SURE. BUT I’VE BEEN WORKING WITH A YOUNG MAN NAMED SAM IN THE BIDE FORD REGIONAL CENTER OF TECHNOLOGY IN A WELDING PROGRAM. SAM HAS THREE WELDING CERTIFICATIONS AND HE IS ONLY 18. I THINK HE’S ONE OF THE MOST EMPLOYABLE PEOPLE ON THE PLANET RIGHT NOW. AND I THINK THAT IF WE CAN LOOK AT THOSE CAREERS IN ROBOTICS, IN TECHNICAL FIELDS, IN HEALTH CARE FIELD THAT YOU CAN GET INTO WITHOUT DEBT AND BE AN IMMENSE SUCCESS, I THINK WE SHOULD ENCOURAGE MORE OF HER STUDENTS TO GO THERE. THEN IF A FOUR YEAR DEGREE OR MORE IS WHERE YOU WANT TO GO, A CHEMICAL ENGINEER MYSELF, THAT’S SET OF PROGRAMS LIKE THE ONE I SPONSORED FOR GOVERNOR LEPAGE THIS LAST SESSION THAT WILL PAIR STUDENT LOAN DEBT FORGIVENESS WITH EMPLOYMENT IN MAINE. THAT BRINGS YOUNG PEOPLE BACK TO MAINE WORKING AND IT TAKES ON THE WORKFORCE ISSUE. I THINK THAT IS THE KIND OF THING WE CAN DO IF WE WORK TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN WAY. PAUL: MOVING TO HEALTH CARE. WE WILL HAVE A MORE INVOLVED QUESTION IN A MINUTE BUT FIRST WE WILL DO A YES, NO QUESTION. SADLY, DO BELIEVE HEALTH CARE IS A HUMAN RIGHT? REP. PINGREE: ABSOLUTELY. MR. GROHMAN: YES. DR. HOLBROOK: NO. PAUL: THIS NEXT QUESTION GOES TO MARTY GROHMAN FIRST, ALSO ABOUT HEALTH CARE. THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, ONE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION. SHOULD IT BE TAPPED ELIMINATED, REPLACED, CHANGED? WHY? MR. GROHMAN: THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST FRUSTRATING THINGS WE WORK ON AS A NATION. OR SHOULD I SAY DON’T WORK ON. THERE ARE SO MUDDY AREAS OF AGREEMENT THAT WE NEED TO TAKE ON IN HEALTH CARE BUT -- THERE A RE SO MANY AREAS OF AGREEMENT WOULD NEED TO WORK ON BUT WE FOCUS ON THE AREAS WHERE WE DON’T AGREE. IF WE LOOK AT THINGS LIKE BEING ABLE TO USE HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS FOR TAKING ON CHRONIC ILLNESS OR LETTING SMALL BUSINESSES POOL RISK TOGETHER TO REDUCE AND MAKE THEIR COSTS MORE PRODUCIBLE. WHY DON’T WE WORK ON THE AREAS WHERE WE AGREE AND CAN MAKE LITTLE PROGRESS INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON TEARING THE OTHER SIDE DOWN ALL THE TIME? WE CAN WERE TOGETHER. WE WILL MAKE YOUR PROGRESS ON HEALTH CARE AND THAT IS WHAT THE VOTERS OF MAINE DESERVE. PAUL: MARK. DR. HOLBROOK: YEAH, SO, I’M NOT FAN OF THE FORT CARE ACT. -- THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. I THINK THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S PICKING THAT A PART IN CREATING SOME ALTERNATIVES TO IT IS HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. MY BIG FEAR IS THAT SOMEONE WILL TAKE A HATCHET TO IT. A LOT OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE IS THAT HAPPEN AND A LOT OF PEOPLE FLIES OF THE IMPACTED AND I DO NOT WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN. WEBER, I DO NOT WANT SOCIALIZED MEDICINE. --HOWEVER. I’D LIKE TO SEE A SCALPEL APPROACH TO THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. START UNRAVELING IT FROM THE NEST IT IS IN, PIECE BY PIECE, UNTIL WE HAVE SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS WORKING IN TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE PROPERLY. I DON’T WANT TO SEE PEOPLE GET HURT. I FEAR THERE ARE SOME IN CONGRESS WHO ARE WILLING TO TAKE A HATCHET TO IT AND JUST DISMANTLE IT. I DON’T WANT TO SEE THAT HAPPEN. I WOULD NOT SUPPORT THAT. I’M ALL FOR TAKING IT APART PIECE BY PIECE. PAUL: YOU WOULD NOT VOTE TO REPEAL WITHOUT A REPLACEMENT? DR. HOLBROOK: NOT A REPLACEMENT. REPEAL IT IF ONLY WE CAN PICK IT APART. IF IT MEANS WE ARE TAKING A HATCHET TO IT, I WOULD NOT SUPPORT THAT. REP. PINGREE: WELL, HEALTH CARE IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING MAINERS. WHETHER YOU ARE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, TRYING TO COVER THE COST FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES OR YOU ARE AN INDIVIDUAL TRYING TO FIND A FORMAL HEALTH CARE, WHICH HAS BEEN GOING UP, BASICALLY BECAUSE, ACTUALLY AS MARK SAID, BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN TAKING IT APART PIECE BY PIECE. THEY’VE NEVER HAD THE VOTES FOR A FULL REPEAL. YET THEY HAVE TRIED TO RESTORE IT -- DESTROYED FROM THE INSIDE. HOPEFULLY WITH DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OF THE HOUSE ARE PRESENTED AS -- THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WE COULD GET IT BACK ON TRACK. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO GETTING THIS RIGHT, MAKING SURE THE PEOPLE WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS ARE COVERED, MAKING SURE THAT YOU CAN STAY IN YOUR PARENTS PLAN TILL 26, DOING THINGS THAT BRING DOWN THE COST AND COST SHARING, MAINE HAS SUFFERED BECAUSE MAINE UNDER GOVERNOR LEPAGE HAS REFUSED TO HAVE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID, WHICH WOULD’VE SUBSIDIZED A LOT OF MAINERS. I AM A TRUE BELIEVER IN UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE. IF WE COULD HAVE SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE LIKE MOST OTHER WESTERN NATIONS, I WOULD MAKE IT WORK. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE TO FIND WHAT IS WORKING IN BETWEEN. DR. HOLBROOK: LISTEN, THE HEALTH CARE COSTS HAVE BEEN FLYING TO THE ROOF SINCE PRESIDENT, FORMER OBAMA STARTED THIS BUSINESS. THEY CREATED A CRISIS THAT DID NOT EXIST. AND WITH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, PRICES HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT SKYROCKET. AND THE APPROACH OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKING CARE OF THIS IS, IS BACKWARDS. NAME ONE THING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES WELL. THERE ISN’T ANYTHING. AND PUTTING THEM IN CHARGE OF OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS A DISASTER. MR. GROHMAN: REPRESENTATIVE PINGREE IS IN FAVOR OF MEDICARE FOR ALL. THIS IS A $32 TRILLION GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER OF HEALTH CARE THAT IS COMPLETELY UNWORKABLE. WE NEED TO FOCUS ON AREAS WHERE WE CAN MAKE GENUINE PROGRESS NOT ON THIS POLITICAL POSITIONING. REP. PINGREE: MAY I REBUT. PAUL: 15 SECONDS. REP. PINGREE: I DO THINK MEDICARE FOR ALL IS A GREAT IDEA. WE HAVE A SYSTEM THAT WORKS. I SUPPORT A PUBLIC OPTION WHICH WOULD HAVE GIVEN US A PUBLIC INSURANCE PLAN TO GO TO UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ACT. CALLING IT $32 BILLION IS NOT RECOGNIZING THE INDOOR MISS AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE SAY. THAT IS A NUMBER THAT COMES OFF OF NEGATIVE REPUBLICAN AD SHOWN ON TV TO SUPPORT PEOPLE. PAUL: WE’LL MOVE ON TO TALK ABOUT THE OPIOID CRISIS. WE’LL START WITH YOU MARK HOLBROOK. THE NATION’S JAILS ARE FULL OF PEOPLE’S SUBSTANCE FROM SUBSTANCE MISUSE HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES TO FEED THEIR ADDICTION. IS JAIL THE RIGHT PLACE TO PUT PEOPLE HAVE COMMITTED THESE CRIMES? DR. HOLBROOK: WELL, YOUR PREMISE IS A LITTLE FAULTY. IF SOMEONE HAS COMMITTED A CRIME AND IF THE LAW SAYS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE IMPRISONED, THEN THAT IS WHERE THEY SUPPOSED TO GO. IF, IN FACT, THEY ARE THERE AND THEY HAVE AN ADDICTION PROBLEM, WE BETTER BE ADDRESSING THAT. MOST EVERYONE GETS OUT OF PRISON AT SOME POINT. 98% OF THE PEOPLE WHO GO IN, COME OUT. IF THEY WERE ADDICTED, WE HAVE A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE, THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE TO TREAT SOMEONE FOR ANY PROBLEM THEN IT IS WHILE WE HAVE THEM IN PRISON. NOW, IF THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO TO PREVENT THEM FROM GETTING ADDICTED IN THE FIRST PLACE, I AM ALL FOR THAT. MAINE ONE LOSES ONE PERSON EVERY DAY TO AN OPIOID OVERDOSE. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. THAT’S UNACCEPTABLE. WE HAVE TO BE DOING THINGS LIKE SEALING THE SOUTHERN BORDER TO KEEP THE NARCO TERRORIST FROM SHIPPING AND 2/3 OF ALL THE ILLEGAL DRUGS ACROSS THE BORDER. REP. PINGREE: WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO HAVE STRICT LAW LAW-ENFORCEMENT TO TRY TO KEEP THOSE DRUGS FROM COMING INTO THE STATE OF MAINE, BUT THE FACT IS, AS MARK HOLBROOK SAID, ONE PERSON IS DYING EVERY DAY. IT IS A HUGE CRISIS. THE JAIL IS NOT A PLACE FOR SOMEONE TO GO WHEN THEY ARE READY FOR RECOVERY. WE, I MET WITH THE SHERIFF’S ASSOCIATION AND THEY SAID THAT WE ARE THE LARGEST TREATMENT CENTERS IN THE STATE OF MAINE. I’VE SUPPORTED BILLS THAT WOULD GET MORE FUNDING. WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH TREATMENT BEDS. WE HAVE SO MANY THINGS WE NEED TO DEAL WITH. I SPONSORED OR SUPPORTED A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR MORE MEDICAL ASSISTANT TREATMENT AND ALLOW MORE PROVIDERS TO PRESCRIBE IT AND RAISE THE CAP ON DOCTORS AND HELP PEOPLE WITH THE OPTIONS IN RECOVERY, MAKING SURE THEY CAN GET SNAP BENEFITS, MAKING SURE THEY CAN GET A JOB AND HOUSING. WE HAVE TO HELP PEOPLE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT SOLVING THIS CRISIS. PAUL: MARTY? MR. GROHMAN: THANKS. ONE OF THE THINGS YOU DO AS A MEMBER OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE ON THE MAINE LEGISLATURE IS -- TOUR OUR COUNTY JAILS. IT IS VERY COMPELLING TO SEE PEOPLE IN THOSE ORANGE JUMPSUITS AND THOSE CONCRETE CELLS AND TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE UP AGAINST A GET BACK ON THEIR FEET, TO GET BACK INTO SOCIETY. AND THAT IS WHY I HAVE BEEN SO FOCUSED ON THAT PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN RUNNING THESE JOB FAIRS IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE WE PAIR UP WILLING EMPLOYERS WHO ARE WILLING TO LOOK PAST THE COOKIE-CUTTER RESUME AND SEE THE POTENTIAL OF PEOPLE IN RECOVERY TO BRING THEM BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE. EVEN IF YOU ARE STRICTLY LOOKING AT THIS AS, FROM A FISCAL POINT OF VIEW, WE ARE GOING TO SAVE MONEY BECAUSE IT IS $50,000 A YEAR TO KEEP SOMEBODY IN JAIL. I’M SO COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH PEOPLE IN RECOVERY. IN FACT, I HEARD THIS GREAT SAYING, THE OPPOSITE OF ADDICTION IS NOT SOBRIETY. TH OPPOSITE OF ADDICTIONE IS COMMUNITY. WHEN WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND HELP PEOPLE GET BACK ON THEIR FEET, WE ARE GOING TO SAVE MONEY AND BUILD THAT COMMUNITY. PAUL: THE NEXT QUESTION TOUCHES UPON THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE. WE’LL STAR WITH CONGRESSWOMAN PINGREE. WHAT SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S OBLIGATION BE TO ASYLUM-SEEKERS? REP. PINGREE: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THAT IS PART OF INTERNATIONAL LAW THAT WE AGREE TO A LONG TIME AGO. AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO STEP FOOT IN THIS COUNTRY. THEY COMINGFROM WAR-TORN NATIONS ARE DIFFICULT SITUATIONS’RE. THEY APPLY FOR A SILO MAY HAVE THE RIGHT TO GO THROUGH THE HEARING PROCESS AND HAVE THEIR CASE INVESTIGATED. AND A DECISION BE MADE WHETHER THEY CAN STAY IN OUR COUNTRY. BOTH SENATOR KING AND I HAVE SPONSORED BILLS TO ALLEVIATE THE RULE THAT SAYS YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WORK WHEN YOU COME INTO OUR COUNTRY FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS. SO MANY PEOPLE COME, THEY WANT TO GO RIGHT TO WORK AND DO WHAT THEY CAN TO HAVE HOUSING AND MEET THEIR FOOD AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILIES. BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE AN APPROPRIATE PROCESS. I WENT DOWN TO THE BORDER BECAUSE I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SEPARATION OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND I SAW DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY, OUR GOVERNMENT IN OUR NAME NOT ONLY SEPARATING CHILDREN FROM THEIR PARENTS BUT NOT FOLLOWING INTERNATIONAL LAW ON HOW TO TREAT AN ASYLUM SEEKER. THAT’S NOT RIGHT. PAUL: A QUICK YES-NO FOLLOW-UP. THIS MAY NOT BE A FEDERAL ISSUE BUT STATE GOVERNMENTS CONSIDER GIVING SOME SORT OF TAXPAYER MONEY TO ASYLUM-SEEKERS. PORTLAND DID IT WITH GENERAL ASSISTANCE. DO YOU AGREE WITH GIVING OUT THAT KIND OF ASSISTANCE TO ASYLUM-SEEKERS? REP. PINGREE: IT’S AN INDIVIDUAL MUNICIPALITY DECISION. WHEN PEOPLE COME INTO OUR COUNTRY AND WE NEED MORE WORKFORCE, WE NEED MORE PEOPLE IN OUR STATE. THAT WE HAVE TO BE WELCOMING, WE HAVE TO HELP THEM BUT ONE OF THE REASONS I TRIED CHANGE THE LA ISW SO THEY CAN GO TO WORK RIGHT AWAY AND NOT DEPEND ON THAT ASSISTANCE. MR. GROHMAN: I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON IMMIGRATION. THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT EMPLOYERS TELL ME ABOUT AS I’M MEETING WITH BUSINESSES ALL OVER THE STATE. WE NEED TO START WITH STRONG, SECURE BORDERS. BUT FROM THERE WE NEED TO VALUE THE MAGNET FOR TALENT THAT AMERICA HAS BECOME. I MET WITH A COMMERCIAL ROOFING COMPANY THAT TOLD ME THEY COULD BE DOING 30% MORE BUSINESS IF THEY HAD THE TALENTED STAFF. WE ARE HOLDING BACK OUR MAIN ECONOMY BECAUSE WE CANNOT WORK THIS OUT. CONGRESSWOMAN PINGREE IS RIGHT. THERE ARE AREAS WE NEED TO AGREE ON. I THINK WE NEED TO COME OUT OF OUR PARTISAN CORNERS AND WORK TOGETHER TO ESTABLISH A CLEAR, L PATH TO CITIZENSHIP SOAR OURE MAINE EMPLOYERS -- SO O UR MAINE EMPLOYERS CAN GET THE ECONOMIC SUCCESS THEY DESERVE. PAUL: DO YOU PHILOSOPHICALLY AGREE WITH GOVERNMENT GIVING OUT TAXPAYER FUNDS TO ASYLUM-SEEKERS? DR. HOLBROOK: I THINK I WAS WANTING HER HE IS RIGHT THAT THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE MR. GROHMAN: BAR ASYLUM SEEKERS FROM WORKING. WE SHOULD LOOK AT REACH RULING THAT POLICY. I DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS RIGHT. THESE PEOPLE WANT WORK. PAUL: MARK? DR. HOLBROOK: NO. PAUL: OK. DR. HOLBROOK: I’M NOT A POLITICIAN. I HAVE A ONE WORD ANSWER. PAUL: WHAT DO YOU THINK CONGRESS SHOULD DO FOR ASYLUM-SEEKERS, IF ANYTHING? DR. HOLBROOK: THE MALARKEY THAT HAS BEEN BANTERED BACK AND FORTH ON EITHER SIDE OF ME IS IRRITATING. WE HAVE A LOT OF LAWS ON THE BOOKS, THAT IF WE ONLY FOLLOWED OUR IMMIGRATION WOULD BE WORKING A WHOLE LOT BETTER. IN TERMS OF ASYLUM-SEEKERS, NOBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO GET HERE. ONCE THEY GET THERE, THEY DO HAVE SOME RIGHTS THAT WE GIVE THEM ONCE THEY ARE HERE. COMING UP THE SOUTHERN BORDER, THOSE ASYLUM-SEEKERS FROM CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA, ONCE THEY GET TO MEXICO, THEY ARE NOT ASYLUM-SEEKERS TO THE UNITED STATES, BECAUSE MEXICO IS THE FIRST COUNTRY THEY COME TO WHEWRE THEY CAN SEEK ASYLUM. I DON’T KNOW WHY WE ARE PLAYING THIS CHARADE WHERE HALF OF SOUTH AMERICA AND CENTRAL AMERICA CAN COME THROUGH MEXICO AND GET TO OUR BORDERS AND SAY, I’M LEAVING AN OPPRESSED NATION AND I WANT TO COME IN AND A FEW FOLKS TAKE CARE OF ME. THAT IS JUST WRONG AND IT IS NOT ACCURATE. PAUL: LET’S MOVE ON, MARTY, YOU WILL DO THIS FIRST, REGARDING THE SECOND AMENDMENT. WHAT SPECIFICALLY CAN CONGRESS DO OR SHOULD CONGRESS TO TRY TO PREVENT MASS SHOOTINGS? AND WHEN ANSWERING A QUESTION, PLEASE TALK ABOUT SOMETHING THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO DRAW SOME SORT OF BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. MR. GROHMAN: I’M PROUD TO HAVE AN A-PLUS RATING FROM THE SPORTSMEN’S ALLIANCE OF MAINE. I’M A STRONG SUPPORTER OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT. BUT I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO MOVE RIGHT AWAY TO BAN BUMP STOCKS. I THINK THIS IS AN AREA THAT EVERYONE AGREES ON. AND WHY CAN’T WE COME OUT OF OUR PARTISAN CORNERS AND GET TOGETHER AND SORT THIS KIND OF ISSUE OUT? YOU KNOW, AND LIKE A LOT OF PARENTS, I PUT MY KIDS ON THE SCHOOL BUS EVERY DAY, AGES 10 AND 12, AND TO BE IN THIS POSITION WHERE YOU WONDER WHETHER THEY MIGHT COME BACK, THAT’S AWFUL. ANY PARENT, THAT FEELS THAT WAY WE SHOULD NOT WANT TO FEEL THAT WAY IT I HAVE WORKED EXTENSIVELY WITH OUR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS TO ALLOW THEM TO HAVE A GREATER JURISDICTION, TO BE ABLE TO ATTEND ATHLETIC EVENTS WITH, THE PROM AND WSSINCE -- SINCE THEY ARE THE ONES THAT KNOW THE KIDS TO PROTECT THEM, THAT IS IMPORTANT. I HOPE TO CONTINUE THAT WORK IN CONGRESS. DR. HOLBROOK: THANKS. SO, I’VE GOT AN A-RATING WITH THE NRA AND A-PLUS WITH THE SPORTSMEN’S ALLIANCE. CHELLIE, I BELIEVE YOU GOT AN F WITH NRA. MARTY ISN’T RATED AT ALL WITH THE NRA. I JOINED THE NRA BECAUSE THEY WERE THE ONLY NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT DEFENDED THE CONSTITUTION, NOT BECAUSE I AM A GUN FANATIC. I THINK, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT MASS SHOOTINGS, WE HAVE TO GET RID OF THE GUN FREE ZONE FIRST OF ALL. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT JOE BIDEN USHERED THROUGH AS A WAY TO CREATE A CRISIS. I THINK IT IS REPRESENTABLE -- REPREHENSIBLE THEY HAVE DONE THAT. ONCE WE START DEALING WITH THE FUN -- THE GUN FREE ZONE ISSUES. LET’S TAKE SCHOOLS. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS WERE WILLING TO GET PROPERLY TRAINED IN ORDERED HAVE ACCESS TO FIREARMS ON CAMPUS. I THINK IF YOU PUT UP THE SIGNS SAYING THIS IS NOT A COUNTRY ZONE, OUR PEOPLE ARE ARMED, YOU WILL SEE A REDUCTION IN SCHOOL SHOOTINGS WITHOUT A DOUBT. PAUL: THANK YOU. CHELLIE? REP. PINGREE: I HEAR FROM PARENTS ALL THE TIME, I’M A PARENT OF THREE AND I UNDERSTAND THE FEAR THE PEOPLE ARE EXPENSIVE WHEN THEY PUT THEIR KIDS ON THE BUS. WE GET LETTERS FROM KIDDER SUES -- FROM KIDS WHO SAY TO US, WE HAD A DRILL AND IT MAKES ME AFRAID. NO KID SHOULD BE AFRAID TO GO TO SCHOOL AND NO PARENT SHOULD BE AFRAID. THEY ARE PLENTY OF COMMON SENSE LAW WES COULD PUT INTO PLACE BUT I BELIEVE TO HAVE SUPPORT OF BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, WHETHER IT IS BUMP STOCKS, GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE. RIGHT NOW CONGAS HAS PASSED A LAW THAT SAYS WE CANNOT HAVE THE CDC STUDY THE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES AROUND THIS, STUDY MORE ABOUT WHAT IS THIS HAPPEN, WHAT IS MAKING THESE CHANGES GO ON UNDERSCORE AND WHY ARE WE FEELING SO FEARFUL EVERYDAY? TO SAY THESE ARE PARTISAN ISSUES IS WRONG. AMERICANS ACROSS THE BOARD SUPPORT MORE GUN SAFETY LAWS. I BELIEVE MY COLLEAGUES WERE ALLOWED TO VOTE ON THIS IS, THE PUBLIC A LEADERSHIP WILL NOT LET THESE BILLS COME TO THE FLOOR. BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF REPUBLICANS WHO I TALKED TO EVERY DAY WHO WOULD BE GLAD TO VOTE FOR THEM, INCLUDING THE ONE THAT IS NO-FLY ,NO BYE. IF YOU ARE ON THE TERRORIST LIST, YOU CANNOT WALK THROUGH WITH A GUN. DR. HOLBROOK: PLEASE. THE IDEA THAT EVERYBODY WANTS MORE, WHAT DI D YOU CALL IT, COMMON SENSE GUN LAWS? THEY DON’T EXIST. WE HAVE PLENTY OF LAWS ON THE BOOK TO PROPERLY CONTROL FIREARMS. WE DO NOT NEED ANY MORE. WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS WORK ON KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER SO WE DON’T HAVE CHILDREN GROWING UP IN HOMES WHERE THERE’S A HOWL -- A WHOLE LOT OF VIOLENCE WERE THEY MIGHT HAVE A TENDENCY TO BECOME VIOLENT. PAUL: THANK YOU. WE’RE GETTING TO THE END OF OUR DEBATE. I WANT TO DO A QUICK ROUND ROBIN OF YES-NO QUESTIONS. FIRST QUESTION WE START WITH MARK HOLBROOK. DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE A VALID MAINE FISHING OR HUNTING LICENSE? DR. HOLBROOK: NO. REP. PINGREE: NO. MR. GROHMAN: YES, I I HAVE A SUPER PASS AND A DUCK STAMP. I WISH I WAS OUT THERE RIGHT NOW. PAUL: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT HUMANS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE? REP. PINGREE: ABSOLUTELY. MR. GROHMAN: I THINK THAT WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER -- PAUL: YES OR NO? MR. GROHMAN: TO WORK ON THE ISSUE OF CLIMATE CHANGE BECAUSE CLEARLY WE ARE HAVING AN EFFECT CLEARLY WE ARE PART OF THE SOLUTION. PAUL: IS THAT A YES? MR. GROHMAN: YES. DR. HOLBROOK: IT IS UNCLEAR AS TO HOW MUCH HUMANS ARE IMPACTING CLIMATE CHANGE. PAUL: IS THAT A YES OR NOT? DR. HOLBROOK: THE SCIENCE ISN’T SET APARTTLED. PAUL: FOR WHOM TO VOTE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION? MR. GROHMAN: I’M AN INDEPENDENT. I WROTE IN GEORGE MITCHELL. DR. HOLBROOK: I VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP. REP. PINGREE: HILLARY CLINTON. PAUL: WITH RANK CHOICE VOTING IN PLACE, WILL YOU RANK CREDITED BESIDE YOURSELF ON ELECTION DAY? >> NO. REP. PINGREE: SORRY, NO. MR. GROHMAN: YES, I WILL. RANK CHOIC WILL BE IN PLACE FOR SENATOR KING UNREPRESENTATIVE -- I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO USE THIS PROGRAM. REP. PINGREE: I THOUGHT YOU’RE JUST ASKING ABOUT OUR RACE. SO, YOU DIDN’T REALLY ANSWER. PAUL: WILL YOU RANK IN THIS RACE? MR. GROHMAN: I ABSOLUTELY WILL. YOU GET TO VOTE FOR SOMEBODY RATHER THAN AGAINST SOMEBODY AND I THINK IT IS A GREAT PROGRAM. PAUL: WITH RANK CHOICE MORNING IN PLACE, WILL YOU ACCEPT THE OUTCOME OF THIS ELECTION? MR. GROHMAN: YES. DR. HOLBROOK: I DON’T KNOW. I’VE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WANTED US TO FILE A FEDERAL LAWSUIT BEFORE THE ELECTION. THERE’S A PLOT OF INTEREST OUT THERE AND CHALLENGING IT. I HAVE NOT MADE UP MY MIND. PAUL: WILL YOU ACCEPT THE RESULTS? REP. PINGREE: YES. PAUL: HAVE ANY OF YOU PUT LEGAL TEAMS IN PLACE? DR. HOLBROOK: I HAVEN’T. PAUL: WE’RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. MARTY GROHMAN, MARK HOLBROOK, CHELLIE PINGREE. WE HOPE YOU AT HOME LEARNED SOMETHING AND HELPED TO DETERMINE YOUR CHOICE ON ELECTION DAY IN THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. THAT’S ABOUT IT. WE WILL HAVE A FULL RECAP OF THIS DEBATE. THE STORY COMING UP AT FOUR CLOCK AS WELL AS 5:00 AND 6:00. THAT IS THE LATEST FROM WMTW. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING. HAVE A GOOD AFTERNOON. [CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY. VISIT NCICAP.ORG]

Advertisement

Candidates running for 1st Congressional District square off in debate

Share

Shares

Copy Link

{copyShortcut} to copy
Link copied!

Updated: 8:16 PM EDT Oct 17, 2018

The three candidates running for Maine's 1st Congressional District took part in a debate Wednesday on WMTW.Incumbent Democrat Chellie Pingree is being challenged by Republican Mark Holbrook and Independent Marty Grohman.Watch the debate in the video above.

WESTBROOK, Maine —

The three candidates running for Maine's 1st Congressional District took part in a debate Wednesday on WMTW.